Thames Valley Police is exploring options with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) over allegations that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor shared with the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein confidential reports he had access to in his role as a UK trade envoy.
Discussions with specialist prosecutors from the CPS have taken place, and the force “is making progress as quickly as possible”, it announced in a statement on Wednesday.
“We can confirm today that Thames Valley Police is leading the ongoing assessment of allegations relating to misconduct in public office,” said assistant chief constable Oliver Wright.
“This specifically relates to documents within the United States Department of Justice’s Epstein Files. As part of this assessment, we have engaged in discussions with specialist crown prosecutors from the CPS. We will provide updates as and when they are available, but at this stage it would be inappropriate to discuss further specifics of this work.”
The allegations are reportedly currently in an “assessment phase” as “information is evaluated to determine whether a criminal offence is suspected and whether a full investigation is required”.
Mr Wright added: “Allegations of misconduct in public office involve particular complexities, and therefore an assessment must be conducted carefully and thoroughly. While we cannot provide timescales over when a decision as to whether a criminal investigation will be opened, we can assure you that Thames Valley Police is making progress as quickly as possible.”
The allegations reportedly relate to emails that appear to show Mr Mountbatten-Windsor sharing reports of his official visits to Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam with the paedophile financier.
One November 2010 email was apparently forwarded by Mr Mountbatten-Windsor just five minutes after being sent by his special advisor Amir Patel, according to the latest release.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor conducted meetings and trade talks during the visits, which were made in his capacity as trade envoy in late 2010. On Christmas Eve 2010, he shared with Epstein a confidential brief on investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand province, Afghanistan. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing.
Earlier on Wednesday, the director of public prosecutions for England and Wales, Stephen Parkinson, told reporters: “We are in close contact with both the Met and Thames Valley police, but we haven’t been asked for formal advice yet. In complex and sensitive cases, the CPS and the police do work together. And I’m sure, in respect of the investigation that has been announced, we will do so.”
Among the latest revelations to emerge from the most recent release of the Epstein files are that the former Prince Andrew appeared to invite the financier to Buckingham Palace for dinner and “lots of privacy”, years after his conviction for sex offences.
Epstein responded: “Already in london [sic]. what time woudl [sic] you like me and we will also need/ have private time.” It is not clear whether a meeting at the palace took place.
The latest release also included pictures that appeared to feature Mr Mountbatten-Windsor poised on all fours over a woman on the floor whose face is blacked out. It is unclear where and when the photos were taken.
There is no suggestion that appearing in the files implies wrongdoing, and people who have appeared in previous releases have denied any illicit behaviour in relation to Epstein.
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